Thursday, October 1, 2015

On Your Left—A New Perspective on the Writing Journey

A
few weeks ago, my family and I rode the Virginia
Creeper Trail. Built on
an old railroad bed, the Virginia Creeper Trail offers a unique biking
experience. 17 miles.

Downhill.

Really.

It’s an amazing ride. The scenery is stunning and the trail is
open to cyclists of all experience levels. As you head down the mountain, you
see professionals wearing their padded bike shorts, wild little boys on their
20” bikes peddling as fast as their legs can go, infants snoozing in their bike
seats, and parents cruising along with their toddler behind them on a tagalong.

For
the most part, the cyclists are respectful of the trail and their fellow
cyclists. There’s a real sense of camaraderie. After all, we’re all on the same
trail, headed in the same direction. We all want to achieve the same thing—to
get to the bottom safely and have a great time doing it.

With
such a variety of skill levels, it would be boring if you had to start down the
trail and ride in single file. Fortunately, that’s not how it works. There may
be a bit of bunching up at the top, but before long everyone finds their own
rhythm. The faster riders start calling
out the standard warning, “On your left!” as they pass the riders taking the
trail at a more leisurely pace.

I heard, "On your left!" a lot.

As
I rode with my 4-year-old on the tagalong, it didn’t take long for me to hear
someone behind me call out, “On your left!” moments before they sailed past me.
Over the course of our ride, there were plenty of cyclists who passed me and I
never saw them again.

Some
passed me, and then I passed them, and then they passed me and we went back and
forth like that the whole time, depending on whose kids needed a break or how
long we paused to check out a waterfall or take pictures of some red barns.

I heard, “On your left!” a
lot on the ride and that was okay.
I wasn’t in a hurry. I wanted to enjoy the experience. I was with my family and
the pace had to work for all of us.

When
I heard, “On your left,” there was no sense of frustration or jealousy. I felt
no aggravation at the pace the passing cyclist had set or the progress they had
made. I harbored no secret desire to swerve over and block their progress or
impede their journey.

Those
writers you started out with? They are signing with agents, signing with
publishers, and signing books with their name on them.

You
might think that being able to call yourself a published author would eliminate
that sense of being passed or left behind.

Um…no.

When will it be your turn?

You
see the pictures of authors at national conferences while you’re at home in
yoga pants with your hair in a ponytail, no makeup, and a sink full of dishes. You
watch an awards ceremony and see names of people you know flash across the
screen. You clap and cheer for them and you really are happy. For them.

But
for you?

You start wondering when it
will be your turn. If it
will ever be your turn.

(This
is all hypothetical of course…)

So,
hypothetically, should this happen to you, maybe it would help to remember . .
.

It’s not a race.

Your
journey down the trail won’t look like anyone else’s.

Some people on the trail will leave you in the dust.

Some of the people on the
trail, well, they are going to leave you in their dust. That’s okay. Let them go. Realize that
they are writing at a pace you cannot sustain. Not yet. Maybe when you’ve been
on the trail longer you’ll build up the endurance and expertise to keep pace
with them. For now, enjoy reading their books and tell your friends to read
their books. Send them emails and leave them great reviews.

Most of the people on the
trail are people you’ll be experiencing this ride with for years. You’re going to see them at conferences
and hang out with them on-line, and sometimes they’ll pass you and sometimes
you’ll pass them, and if you’re very blessed, they’ll become friends and your
journey will be sweeter for them. Show up at their book signings and help them
brainstorm. If they get tired or life forces them to take a break, don’t forget
about them.

And whatever you do, always
remember that there are kids on this trail. They are fresh and young and they have no idea what they
are doing. They need advice. At some point, you’ll have an opportunity to call
out, “On your left!” — or pull over and help them pump up a tire (or plot
line). Don’t forget what it was like during your first years on this journey.
Every now and then, take the time to help the newbies out.

Lynn Huggins Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children. You can follow her real life happily ever after at http://www.lynnhugginsblackburn.com.

17 comments:

Hi Lynn, I loved this post. It was such a great reminder to me that I don't have to hurry. My time lately has been taken up with helping my family through some medical issues, and often I'm tired. I either don't have time to write or don't feel like writing. I had just come to the conclusion not long ago that it was OK to be in this down time. Your post gave me the reassurance that I am good where I am at. At some point, I may be able to pick up the pace again, but for now, I will do what I can in the time I have and not feel like I am less of a writer for it. Thanks again.

Thank you for this fresh perspective, Lynn. I'm currently reading Emily P. Freeman's new release, "Simply Tuesday" (a-mazing!) and one line that continues to pop up says you can either have competition or community -- but you can't have both. Your post illustrates this beautifully. :)

I love this. Thank you for the reminder. At times, I have felt "left behind". A year ago I attended my first writers conference. I did not want to write. I write out of obedience to the Lord. He changed my heart. I feel a need to write now. Over the last year, I have met many writers, who are now close friends. When I began to feel left behind, God impressed heavily on my spirit to encourage and promote my author friends. He would promote the work that He is doing in and through me in His perfect timing. I find great joy and peace when I promote and encourage my writer friends. I know this is my calling and I am grateful. By Gods grace and favor, I signed my first book contract yesterday. Many of my authors friends are rejoicing with me. I am so humbled by their love and encouragement. I love when the body of Christ works together. I will continue to encourage and promote my brothers and sisters. that is the gift that God gave me. When one says "On your left" I will be cheering and Praising God with them.